Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott is a US jewellery and lifestyle brand founded in 2002 in Austin, Texas by Kendra Scott. Berkshire Partners took a minority stake in 2016, and Chris Blakeslee was appointed CEO in January 2026, according to Wikipedia.

What is Kendra Scott?

Kendra Scott is an American brand of fashion and fine jewellery. Wikipedia says Kendra Scott LLC was founded in 2002, with a first collection designed in a spare bedroom in Austin, Texas on a budget of 500 dollars.

History

The first retail store opened in Austin in 2010. In 2016 Kendra Scott sold a minority stake to the private equity firm Berkshire Partners at a reported 1 billion dollar valuation. In February 2021 she stepped down as CEO and kept the role of executive chairwoman, with Tom Nolan named CEO. Wikipedia reports that Chris Blakeslee was appointed CEO of Kendra Scott Design Inc. in January 2026. No ownership changes for 2024 to 2026 are reported there.

Products and positioning

The brand sells fashion jewellery and fine jewellery, and has extended into home accessories, nail lacquer and beauty products.

Business model and distribution

Distribution combines its own stores, with 102 reported at the end of 2019, an e-commerce business and wholesale. Wholesale partners named include Selfridges, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Von Maur and Bloomingdale's, plus more than 1,000 specialty boutiques.

Why it matters

Kendra Scott is one of the larger US designer-founded accessible jewellery brands and a case study in blending own retail, e-commerce and department store wholesale.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Kendra Scott?

Kendra Scott sold a minority stake to Berkshire Partners in 2016. A cited article says she remained majority owner after stepping aside as CEO in 2021.

Where is Kendra Scott from?

Kendra Scott is American. It was founded in Austin, Texas in 2002.

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